Interview of Bernard Perroy by Vatsala Radhakeesoon

French poetry is often characterized by lovely metaphors and vivid imagery.
Bernard Perroy is a popular contemporary poet .He has authored 15 poetry books
and his works are regularly published in various literary journals and
magazines. He is also a religious brother linked to the Catholic Church and is thus
involved actively in helping and guiding people of his community. Here goes an
enriching conversation with a humble and inspirational poet from one of the
most beautiful European countries, that is, France.

Vatsala Radhakeesoon: Please tell us about your early life,
background and actual life?

Bernard Perroy: I am a child of oceans and rivers. I was
born at Nantes in 1960.Nantes is a town located near Atlantic and Loire estuary.
The St Anne region where I spent most of my childhood and adolescence can be
considered as a “village” within a town overhanging the harbour close to Jules
Verne museum.
I come from a close knitted family blessed with love. My father is a doctor and
my mother is fond of Literature, Art and Music. So I grew up with all this
richness and this permanent quest that they still pursue. After studying
philosophy, Medicine and Physiotherapy I worked as a physiotherapist for three
years. I also had a very active and busy social life that included playing the
piano at bars, poetry writing, making new friends and the usual trends of city
life.
Then , in October 1988 everything changed. I was introduced by a friend to the
religious Catholic group La Communauté Catholique des Béatitudes. During the Vespers
celebration, I underwent a conversion. I felt the strong love of Jesus for me.
In 1994 , I took the final firm vows to become a devoted spiritual brother.
Therefore, since 1988 I devote my life both to spirituality and to poetry.

Vatsala : What has been the driving force
compelling you to start writing poems?

Bernard: Firstly, my family background. Then, at primary school
we had a teacher who asked us to listen to music and afterwards, write down our
views or artistic appreciation. He loved to read aloud what I wrote and he made
me adore poetry
through his guided writing techniques such as starting each stanza with
“If I were… I…” So, in this way I was introduced or initiated to poetry.
I also loved reading and re-reading the prescribed textbooks such as Lagarde et
Michard ( Editions Bordas ) that made me discover the poetry of Rimbaud, Apollinaire
and Baudelaire. This was followed by three turning points in my life.
Firstly, when I was between 16 to 17 years old, my friend Serge Nouailhat
(actually painter and master glass artist) lent me the book
“La Vie Immédiate” by Paul Eluard and I instantly loved it. Secondly, a few
years later, another friend called Thierry Duval lent me “Le Cornet à Dés” by
Max Jacob. This also enhanced my love for poetry. Furthermore, I went on
reading the works of Schehadé, Michaux,
Bonnefoy, Jaccottett and Joe Bosquet.
Thirdly , when in 1983, I joined the
Compulsory Army Duties for one year I came across the poetry books by René Char
and as soon as I had finished reading them
my inner voice firmly told me that I will be a poet for my whole
lifetime.
It is important to note the strong link between reading and writing. Through
reading we undergo a poetic experience that leads us to our own poetry-writing.
We never write with an ignorant mind that has no knowledge of poetry.
We carry with us the legacy left by other poets’ works and they act as motivators
for our own writings.

Vatsala : Generally, what are your sources of
inspiration?

Bernard: When I read poetry, there is often a driving force
element. It can be simply a word, an image or a sound and this compels me to
write without really knowing where this will lead me to. Then, words flow,
expressions flow, one word seems to call another, creating a theme or a vision
in my mind that propels me to write about it genuinely without over-thinking. The
final poem has nothing to do with the
initial source of inspiration. I
often let a poem rest for a while and read it again after a long time. Then, I
correct, simplify, elaborate or discard it.
Besides reading, inspiration also comes from life experiences such as joys,
sorrows, desires, questions asked and acts performed on a daily basis.
Here, I would like to quote my poet friend and Benedictine brother, Gilles
Baudry who states “My inspiration comes from the extraordinariness of daily
life.”

Vatsala: Is there any particular theme
that you like to bring forth in your poems and draw the readers’ attention?

Bernard: There
are many themes that I write about. My
poems deal with the themes of life, death, time, love. I write about the light,
the sea, the river, the beating of hearts, the sky, the earth, a face, a smile.
Generally, it is an attempt to express the invisible by the visible such as the
interior landscape like emotions or views of the human mind or heart explained
through the exterior natural landscape.
I always write about the
experiences brought by life with an openness and hopeful attitude. I avoid
writing directly about my faith and I’m cautious about all forms or Arts that
impose or preach rigid religious or political views at the expense of poetic
style and depth. Primarily, it’s all about writing poetry and not about
propagating a religious or preachy literature. My poetry mostly intends to
speak to people from all walks of life.

Vatsala : Who are your favourite
authors/poets and which literary movements have an influence on your writings?

Bernard: I like various
types of poets coming from different backgrounds and having unique perceptions,
styles and poetic aims. Some of them are Gilles Baudry, poets from L’école De
Rochefort group such as René Guy , Cadou, Serge Wellens and others. I also like
the Christian poets such as Gérard Bocholier ,Gérard Pfister , Jean
Pierre Lemaire and Anne Perrier.I also love the works of Mediterranean poets
such as Abdellatif Laabi, Salah Stétié, Salah Al Hamdani
andMahmoud Darwich.

Through all those poets we can clearly notice that the poet is far from being
simply the dreamer, lost in thoughts. A poet is, in fact, a very sensible
person, fully aware of his/her surroundings and the world. He /she is down to
earth.

Vatsala : In his poem La Fonction du Poète (The Poet’s
Function), the great author Victor Hugo has brought the message that ‘Le
poète est l’élu de Dieu’(‘The poet is the chosen one by God). Please tell us your
views regarding this?

Bernard: Irrespective of religion, poets are basically sensitive
and receptive. They have the power to enchant readers and they are eternal
seekers. Poets live in the hectic world too but their main role is to take us
away from the chaos, noise, mundane temporary pleasures and shallow issues generally
highlighted by the media and internet. In stormy situations, poets often find
their strong inner voices (and that of God for believers). The poet’s voice is
often deep and full of poise. It doesn’t follow the mundane urban trends where
everyone is busy, blinded, stressed and unable to enjoy life.
Regarding the implied message “l’élu de Dieu” (“the chosen one by God”), I
believe that WE are all children of the same God and he loves us
unconditionally.

Poets are considered to be so due to their own artistic ways. Based on the
Bible, the idea of being “the chosen one” has a universal connotation. It means that we are all chosen by God to
fulfil positive uplifting missions.

Vatsala : While studying European Literature ,
we often come across the fact that the church didn’t have a positive attitude
towards poets and poetry.
However, now the European countries are more democratic. Please tell us about
the perception of the church regarding poets and poetry in the 21st
century?

Bernard: At the beginning of the 21st century, in
his letter addressed to artists, Pope John Paul II wrote “ In order to convey
the message of Christ the Church needs Art.” This was followed by the council
of Vatican II requesting the poet Patrice de La Tour to collaborate in the
translations and creation of literary writings. The council also stated “ The
world that we live in also needs beauty so that we don’t feel lost in despair.”

The great Theologian, Father Marie Dominique Chenu emphasized that the
historians of Theology need to include Arts in their books so as to make them
wholesome. On 21 November 2009, Benoit
XVI addressed 260 artists – painters, sculptors, poets, musicians and actors
highlighting on their major role to communicate beauty through their Arts and
to be the messengers of hope for the entire Human Race. Therefore, in the 21st
Century the Church is supportive of Arts and it reminds each Christian and
artist about their real duties towards Arts
and through it.

Vatsala: What advice would you give to young
poets?

Bernard: To
keep writing and to be themselves. Firstly, they must always listen to their
hearts’ own authentic voice without being influenced by shallow trends or
fashion. Then, they must keep on reading poetry as both reading and writing
walks hand in hand. They must also keep
a balance between socializing in literary groups and being in solitude to
create their own works. Young poets must always keep reading their poems again
and again, correct them, simplify them, elaborate them and even discard them
when needed.

Quoting Henri Meschonnic, I would like to remind young poets
“Never write FOR (for a public, cause…) but write BY (by passion, intuition,
listening to their own inner voice).”
Always write about an experience not the idea.
Write about an authentic experience which is initially personal but can also
embrace universality. Never be discouraged as ups and downs will always be
there. Persevere and keep writing! Always be ready to learn as well.

Vatsala : As an experienced poet and religious
brother, what message would you like to give to the world
predominated by terrorism?

Bernard:
First, we must work on ourselves by strengthening our
own inner peace, then forgiving those around us instead of spending out time
blaming evil forces. We must keep an optimistic perception without being
blinded or idealistic.
We must also be open to all races, religions and cultures and reach out to
people.
Thus, we will avoid bias notions and live in harmony and tolerance.

Whether it’s summer or winter ,the sea as usual
is always lovely with its movement of waves
like the soothing heartbeats within us
that rejoice on meeting the unknown
at each stage of life
similar to the change in level of tides…

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